While discussing a community of prairie dogs that lives near us, someone raised the question of what they look like, and we found the above picture, which amused us immensely. It is possible that it is warning its community of danger, or it could be scolding its young for their irresponsibility! Whatever the case may be, it is undoubtedly engaging those around it in some manner, and is an example to us that we need to engage those in our lives and communities.
Jesus gave us a perfect example of how we are to do this in Mark 3:13-15, "And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons." At this time there was a great crowd following Him, but He did not choose to tell or explain to them everything He taught, as He explained later to His disciples in Mark 4:11-12, And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that 'they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.'" By doing this, Jesus showed that He was not interested in a large following, but in investing and pouring into the lives of a few people whom He loved.
We have the opportunity to invest in the lives of those around us where God has placed us, whether it is our family, our friends, or a writing community! May we be willing to expend our time and energy to encourage and bless those who really matter in our lives, not to seek or please the crowd.
"When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, 'Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.'"
John 13:12-17
~paisley
(All Scripture quoted from the English Standard Version, and a thank you to Francis Chan's teaching on Mark for much of this inspiration.)
Jesus gave us a perfect example of how we are to do this in Mark 3:13-15, "And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons." At this time there was a great crowd following Him, but He did not choose to tell or explain to them everything He taught, as He explained later to His disciples in Mark 4:11-12, And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that 'they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.'" By doing this, Jesus showed that He was not interested in a large following, but in investing and pouring into the lives of a few people whom He loved.
We have the opportunity to invest in the lives of those around us where God has placed us, whether it is our family, our friends, or a writing community! May we be willing to expend our time and energy to encourage and bless those who really matter in our lives, not to seek or please the crowd.
"When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, 'Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.'"
John 13:12-17
~paisley
(All Scripture quoted from the English Standard Version, and a thank you to Francis Chan's teaching on Mark for much of this inspiration.)